Misconceptions About Paleo Diet

Paleolithic diet, also known as Paleo diet or the Caveman’s diet is one of the most popular diet concepts based on the food habits of the ancient human from the Stone Age. This diet includes Vegetables, Fruits, Meat, Seafood, Nuts, and Roots, and excludes all the modern day Processed Foods such as Dairy, Grains, Legumes, Processed Salt & Sugar etc. that people started eating from the Neolithic age.

Although a large number of people have made this diet as their healthy lifestyle choice, like any other diets, there are many misconceptions about the Paleo Diet too among the fitness junkies. Let us take a look at some of the myths and facts associated with this diet that is revealed in the recent studies.

Myth: Paleo is a very strict & a difficult diet regime to follow

Fact: Paleo diet is not exactly a diet regime to be followed for a certain period of time to achieve some health benefits, but is more of a lifestyle, as it is not only about avoiding certain types of food but also following some guidelines to adjust your food eating pattern to a much healthier lifestyle. This diet is not the same for everyone as it differs according to individual perspectives but requires staying within the broad principle of accepting everything Non-Processed.

Myth: Paleo is a perfect weight loss fad diet

Fact: As discussed above, Paleo is not a diet plan. But then when you are cutting down on grains, legumes and processed food it is for sure going to show some difference on the weighing scale, but it is still not a diet designed for weight loss. However, the overall health benefit of following this diet is that you will end up with a very good metabolism that in turn will help keep your weight under control. Having said that, just following the Paleo Diet alone, one cannot expect a drastic change overnight, it is actually the lifestyle that brings about that visible change in your body over time.

Myth: Paleo is a Carb free diet

Fact: Paleo could be said as a low carb diet but it is not a No Carb Diet as well. The Root Vegetables such as Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca, Starchy White Potatoes, also some of the fruits and nuts, have carbohydrates and are Paleo approved. In fact, people who are trying to lose weight who are living on Paleo Diet are also advised to reduce their Carb intake to help achieve their desired goals.

Myth: Paleo is a highly carnivorous diet

Fact: It is true that Paleo lifestyle includes a lot of Meat compared to a regular diet. But that does not mean Paleo is all about Meat. There are many Paleo followers who rely highly on Seafood & Vegetables than Meat, and there are also many Vegetarians who follow Paleo Lifestyle. For vegetarians, it is important to balance their protein intake in the manner appropriate to follow this lifestyle.

To sum up, Paleo Diet is not about anything rigid, but it is all about a lifestyle as intended by Mother Nature, eating everything in the original form unprocessed and wholesome.

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An ardent lover of food with a natural flair for culinary arts, who loves to write anything and everything about food, with a career background of more than half a decade invested in various communication fields. Now being a part of ICCA Dubai Digital Marketing team, she intends to showcase her professional expertise in web & print content development and food photography, and adapt to learn more with the team.